Collapsible Modular Hat

ABSTRACT

A collapsible modular hat comprises a base having a base connector, a top having a top connector, and a side panel having an upper connector and a lower connector. The base connector of the base is releasably fastened to the lower connector on the side panel, and the top connector of the top is releasably fastened to the upper connector of the side panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/105,899 filed Aug. 20, 2018, which claims the benefit of UnitedStates Provisional Patent Application No. 62/548,537, filed on Aug. 22,2017, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a collapsible modular hat. More particularly,the invention relates to a hat having discrete components which can bejoined together or separated from each other.

Hats and other forms of the headwear are well known clothing accessorieswhich have been in existence for centuries in many different sizes andshapes. In many instances, such headwear often generally occupies asignificant amount of space, and this impacts the costs and spacerequirements for their storage and transportation. Additionally, becauseof their significant size and configuration, any packaging needs to beproper and sufficient, failing which the headwear may sustain damageduring handling, packaging, shipping and storage. Containers which donot have strong enough support structures may cause the hat to becomedamaged through crushing, folding, creasing or denting.

Furthermore, since hats and other headwear may be in whole or in partdelicate and even fragile, and may have components which are somewhatirregular in shape, it is not always possible to stack similar oridentical headwear one within the other as a result of irregularconfiguration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided acollapsible modular hat comprising: a base having a base connector, atop having a top connector, and a side panel having an upper connectorand a lower connector, wherein the base connector of the base isreleasably fastened to the lower connector on the side panel, and thetop connector of the top is releasably fastened to the upper connectorof the side panel.

Preferably, the collapsible modular hat comprises a brim defining anaperture, and the base connector extends upwardly from around the brimnear the aperture. The base connector may comprise fastening meanslocated at multiple points. The fastening means may be selected from oneor more of: snap fasteners, buttons, Velcro, hook and fastener.

In one embodiment, the top comprises a generally circular cover and aflange depending downwardly from the cover. The downwardly dependingflange may comprise fastening means at multiple points, the fasteningmeans being selected from one or more of: snap fasteners, buttons,Velcro, hook and fastener.

Preferably, the side panel comprises a generally rectangular piecehaving a first edge and a second edge, the first and second edges havingfastening means thereon for configuring and fastening the generallyrectangular piece into a generally cylindrical piece having an openupper end and an open lower end, the base connector of the base beingconnected to the open lower end, and the top connector of the top beingconnected to the open upper end. In one embodiment, the fastening meanscomprises a Velcro strips at the first edge and second edgerespectively.

In one embodiment, the base connector of the base has four substantiallyequidistant Velcro loops; the top connector of the top has foursubstantially equidistant loops; the upper connector and the lowerconnector of the side panel each have four substantially equidistantVelcro hooks for attachment to the Velcro loops on the base connectorand the top connector respectively.

In one aspect, the top and base are nestled with respect to each other,and the side panel is positioned adjacent thereto. An expandable bag maybe provided for receiving the collapsible modular hat when in acollapsed condition, the expandable bag including a hanging hook.Further, a plurality of expandable bags containing each containing thecollapsible modular hat in the collapsed condition may be stored withina box or container for storage and transportation purposes.

The collapsible modular hat may be shaped or ornamented to suit aspecific occasion. Further, it may be comprised of a material selectedfrom one or more of: leather, suede, felt, plastic, fabric, hide, orcardboard. Still further, the base, top, or side panel is adjustable insize and shape. Any one of the base, top or side panel may be mixed andmatched with other base, top or side panel respectively.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provideda collapsible modular hat comprising: a base having a base connector;and a top panel having a lower connector, wherein the base connector ofthe base is releasably fastened to the lower connector of the top panel.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod of constructing a collapsible modular hat, the method comprising:providing a base having a base connector, providing a top having a topconnector, and providing a side panel having an upper connector and alower connector, releasably fastening the base connector of the base tothe lower connector on the side panel, and releasably fastening the topconnector of the top to the upper connector of the side panel.

The collapsible modular hat may be assembled and disassembled,resembling a hat when in the assembled condition, and compacted forstorage and transportation when in the disassembled condition. Further,one or more of the base, top and side panel of the collapsible modularhat may be shaped and decorated to suit a preselected occasion.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided acollapsible modular hat comprising a base having a base connector, a tophaving a top connector, and a side panel having an upper connector and alower connector, wherein the base connector of the base can bereleasably fastened to the lower connector on the side panel, and thetop connector of the top can be releasably fastened to the upperconnector of the side panel. Preferably, the side panel comprises agenerally cylindrical component wherein an elongate strip can beconfigured into the cylindrical component, and the elongate strip has ator near its edges means for selectively fastening the edges to eachother to form a cylindrical component. The various components can beconstructed and deconstructed many times, as the situation requires, sothat the hat operates as a hat when constructed, and may be foldedcompactly when deconstructed for optimized storage and transportation.

The present invention is therefore directed towards a hat or headwearwhich is modular in construction, and comprises a plurality of modularsections which can be separated from each other for transportation andstorage, but can easily be assembled when needed. Thus, the hat is inone sense collapsible when not needed, making it much easier to storethe hat without causing damage, and not taking up an inordinate amountof storage space.

When in the deconstructed configuration, the headwear will, in oneembodiment of the invention, preferably be relatively flat, especiallywhen compared to one which is fully assembled, so that the componentscan be carefully packed to reduce the chance of damage, shipped incompact receptacles or containers which may be smaller and of moreregular dimensions. As such, the deconstructed version of the modularhat of the invention is therefore less cumbersome and less expensive toship.

In one form of the invention, the hat is comprised of three separateparts, components or modules, each of which can be readily connected toan adjacent module to construct the hat, and easily released fordeconstruction and storage. Preferably, the collapsible hat of theinvention has three sections or modules. The first such module maycomprise a brim, the second a side wall of the hat, and the third acrown or top. In a preferred form of the invention, the side wall, whichmay typically be substantially cylindrical in shape, may have a cut oropening extending along its length from the top to the bottom thereof,so that this side wall itself can be rolled or folded or otherwisecontacted so as to occupy less space when the hat is disassembled.

The collapsible and modular hat of the invention may be used in manydifferent situations and contexts. While the hat may be of theconventional sort for everyday use, it may also comprise shapes andornamentation which make it suitable for various holidays and occasions.As examples only, such occasions may include birthdays, graduations,anniversaries, national holidays such as the Fourth of July, plays, orfor use with children. There are of course many other situations andoccasions, too numerous to mention, and the invention is not limited inthis regard.

With the growth of e commerce, and the increasing number of purchaseswhich are made online and subsequently shipped, the collapsible hat ofthe invention offers many benefits. Handling and shipping, as well asthe cost related thereto, are significant factors in e commerce, and thepresent invention facilitates much easier handling, smaller and moreregular shaped shipping receptacles and containers, and less need forprotective material such as bubble pack or Styrofoam chips or peanuts.All of these factors not only benefit the bottom line of the seller byreducing expenses, but also help to ensure that the consumer receivesthe product in a more pristine and undamaged condition. It is also veryuseful for more effectively returning products which may not fit or areno longer wanted.

The collapsible hat of the invention may be comprised of many materials.Felt is a popular material used in the manufacture of hats. However, thehats, or in fact different components of a hat, may be made of any othermaterial including, but not limited to, plastic or other syntheticmaterials, cardboard, fabric, leather, silk, cotton, or hide, to name afew.

The headwear of the invention therefore comprises multiple pre moldedand prefabricated modular sections. In one embodiment, there is at leastone hat brim component, at least one side body piece component, and atleast one crown component. Each of these components may be of differentshape and configuration and still function so as to be assembled anddisassembled from the other components. However, they may be hatsconstructed in accordance with the present invention which have only twocomponents, as described more fully below. Further, there is no reasonwhy the hat in accordance with the invention may have more than threecomponents, if the nature of the hat dictates, and more components orsections are needed to properly construct a modular hat which has thedesired shape and dimensions.

In use, the component parts are fastened together, with the hat brim tothe body piece and the body piece to the crown piece. Fabric hooks,Velcro7 fastening, press studs or snap fasteners, zippers or othersuitable mechanisms may be used to effect fastening of the components,and different types of fastening systems may be used between differentcomponents on the same hat. Once assembled, the prefabricated hatresembles a traditional solid piece hat, but has required less space andless supportive packaging than such a traditional solid piece hat. Sincetraditional hats have a large empty space inside them, and are prone tobeing damaged if stored or transported without protective packagingwhich is strong and sufficiently large, the prefabricated hat of theinvention offers a more efficient product, especially for shipping andstorage. By being deconstructed into separate pre molded parts, the hatis able to take up less space, further requiring less packaging whichneed not be as strong in order to keep it in shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show a perspective exploded view of the separatecomponents of a collapsible hat in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a collapsible hat in accordance with the invention whenassembled from the components illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C of thedrawings;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show a perspective exploded view of the separatecomponents of a collapsible hat in accordance with the invention,illustrating in particular one mechanism for fastening these componentstogether;

FIG. 4 shows a collapsible hat in accordance with the inventionassembled from the components in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C of the drawings;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the various components of the hat inaccordance with the invention in a folded condition suitable for storageor transportation;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the various components of the hats inaccordance with the invention contained within a bag;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of an outerreceptacle container for receiving and accommodating a bag such as theone illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings;

FIG. 8 shows a plurality of, or multiple, container bags, such as of thetype illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings, stored within a box forshipping or transporting a plurality of hats which have been collapsedand stored in the box, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 of the drawings illustrates and describes sequential steps forconstructing a top hat having three components, in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 10 of the drawings illustrates and describes sequential steps forconstructing a pirate hat having three components, in accordance withthe invention; and

FIG. 11 of the drawings illustrates and describes sequential steps forconstructing a witch hat comprised of two components, in accordance withthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings which show variousembodiments of the invention comprising the collapsible modular hat.

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show a hat 10 comprised of a brim base 12, a sidepanel 14, and a top or crown 16. The brim base 12 comprises a brim ring20 defining a generally circular open space 22, and a generallycylindrical collar or projection 24, wherein the brim ring 20 andcylindrical projection 24 are approximately coaxial. The side panel 14comprises a generally flat elongate portion 26 having opposing ends 28and 30. The opposing ends 28 and 30 can be releasably connected to eachother so that the side panel 14 is flat, or so as to configure the flatelongate portion 26 into a cylindrical form. When so configured, theflat elongate portion 26 will be of about the same diameter as thecylindrical projection 24, and will releasably attach to it. Dependingupon the style, the lower end 34 of the elongate portion 26 will eitherhave a slightly larger diameter than the cylindrical projection 24 andfit over and around it, or it may have a slightly smaller diameter thanthe cylindrical projection 24, so as to be received within it.

The top or crown 16 comprises a top portion 38, and a downwardlydepending flange 40. The downwardly depending flange 40 has a diameterwhich is substantially the same as that of the side panel 14 at its topend, and the flange 40 attaches to the side panel 14 at or near such topend. The flange 40 may be sized so as to have a slightly larger diameterthan the top end of the side panel 14 so that the top end of the sidepanel 14 is received therewithin, or it may have a slightly smallerdiameter than the top end of the side panel so that it is fittinglyreceived within the top end of the side panel.

FIG. 2 of the drawings shows a hat constructed and assembled using thethree modular components and sections illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B and1C. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the cylindrical projection 24 andthe flange 40 are both received within the side panel 26, although, asmentioned above, this construction may be reversed depending upon thestyle and preference of the user. This may be accomplished by, forexample, the ability to adjust the circumference of the side panel 14,which will determine whether the cylindrical projection 24 and/or theflange 40 straddle the side panel or are contained within it.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C of the drawings are somewhat similar to thoseillustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, except that they show a specificembodiment for a fastening mechanism to hold the components together. Inthese figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify likecomponents illustrated in the previous figures.

In these FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, hook and loop structures, known commonlyunder the trademark Velcro, are used to releasably secure components toeach other. Thus, the brim base 12 may, in one embodiment, have a patchof Velcro loops 50 and 52 on opposed or spaced outer surfaces of thecylindrical projection 24. Note that these may be preferred locations,and that any suitable number and size of Velcro loops (or hooks) can beplaced in selected positions on the cylindrical projection 24. The sidepanel 14 has lower Velcro hooks 54 and 56 which will register with atleast some of, but all of in the present embodiment, the loops 50 and 52when the side panel 14 is mounted over the brim base 12 so that the tworemain fixed to each other until such time as sufficient force toseparate the hooks from the loops is applied.

In one preferred embodiment, only the center back of the hat stand has aVelcro hook and loop to fasten and secure it closed. The sideband andcrown have Velcro hooks only which allows them to fasten and adherereasonably securely to the nap or texture of the felt. In this version,the molded brim is free of any hook or loop.

In similar fashion, the top or crown 16 has on the outer surface of theflange 40 a pair of diametrically opposed Velcro loops 60 and 62. Theside panel 14 has a pair of upper Velcro hooks 64 and 66, on the innersurface, appropriately positioned so that some or all engage with theloops 60 and 62 on the flange 40. Once more, differently located andsized hooks and loops may be used, in different numbers.

The side panel 14 itself has a strip of Velcro loops 70 and a strip ofVelcro hooks 72 (or vice versa) on opposing end edges so that when theseoverlap the side panel can be fixed into its cylindrical shape. When notin use, he hat can be disassembled, and the Velcro loop and hook 70 and70 to disengaged or pulled apart from each other so as to fold the sidepanel 14 into a shape which facilitates easier handling, shipping andstoring.

A hat duly assembled with the components illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B and3C is illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

It should be noted that the various components which constitute the hatmodules can vary in shape, size and material. For example, the sidepanel 14 may have more height or less height, or, indeed, differentheights along its length. The base brim 10 may have a brim ring 20 ofmany different shapes and widths, which may depend upon the length andshape of the side panel 14. Further, its width may vary in oneparticular embodiment. The brim ring 20 may be curved, contoured, peakedor have any other desirable shape. The crown 16, too, may be flat,convex, dented or be or any other shape. Furthermore, the cylindricalprojection 24 and the flange 40 need not be completely circularentities, but may be crenellated, rounded or such other shape providedthey fulfill the function of providing a mechanism for suitableconnection to the side panel 14.

FIG. 5 of the drawings shows a hat in its collapsed configuration, withthe brim base 12 at the bottom, the crown 16 on top, and the side panel14 sandwiched between the two. It will be clearly seen that the spaceoccupied by the collapsed hat is substantially less than that of theconstructed hat. In some embodiments, the flange 40 and the brim ring 24may be dimensioned so that the one fits in the other, allowing an evenmore compact packaging arrangement.

FIG. 6 of the drawings shows the collapsed components of the hat, asillustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings, stored within an expandable bag80. The bag 80 has a top end 82 with a convenient built in hanging hook84, and an expandable bottom end 86. The sides 88, or at least one ofthe sides 88, may be open, with possible closure mechanisms, so that thebag 80 can be expanded and the hat components placed therein. In otherembodiments, the sides may be at least partially closeable so that, oncethe hat components have been inserted within the expandable bag 80, theywill not be able to fall out.

FIG. 7 of the drawings shows the expandable bag 80 which is receivablewithin a packing bag 90. Such a packing bag 90 may be useful for storinga single or only a small number of collapsed hat components or sets. Thepacking bag 90 includes an open top end and a flap 92 for closing thepacking bag 90.

In FIG. 8 of the drawings, a different type of packaging arrangement isillustrated, whereby a more significant number of collapsed hatscontained within an expandable bag 80 are stacked within a box, suitablefor storage or transportation of multiple products of the invention.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9 of the drawings. This figure describesand illustrates six steps for assembling a top hat, one type of hat ofmany which may be utilized in accordance with the invention. As will beseen, the top hat comes in three pieces for assembly, namely, the moldedcrown top, the molded brim, which may include an elastic band to providea better fit, and a sideband with a substantially straight top and acurved bottom. In the first step, red colored dots or other identifiersor markers are aligned on the brim and the sideband so that these twoparts can be registered and matched to each other and joined. In steptwo, the sideband is closed, so that it becomes cylindrical in shapefrom a previously flat shape. In the third step, the crown is added byturning the hat upside down, preferably on a flat surface, anddifferently colored dots or other identifiers or markers aligned whenthe crown is fully inserted. The crown is then gently tapped down untilit is flush with the flat surface. In the fourth step, the hat is turnedover and checked so that all alignment markers are matched, and thecrown top can be adjusted relative to the sideband. In the fifth step,Velcro connections between the parts are firmly pressed to complete theassembly, resulting in a hat with a seamless, or near a seamless,appearance.

FIG. 10 of the drawings describes and illustrates instructions for apirate hat assembly. This hat comprises the molded crown top, the moldedbrim, and a sideband, notably of a little less height than that in theprevious figure. In steps one, two, three and four, the various parts ofthe hat are assembled in much the same way as was described above withrespect to the top hat illustrated in FIG. 9. In the fourth step, theVelcro connectors are firmly pressed to join the various components,and, further, connected between the brim and the side panel, asillustrated by the pair of arrows seen in step five, are joined. Stepsix of the drawings shows the fully assembled hat, seamless or nearseamless, in a pirate form, ready for use.

FIG. 11 of the drawings describes and illustrates instructions for theassembly of a witch hat. In this particular embodiment, there are twocomponents, namely, a cone having a curved bottom and a pointed top, anda molded brim. Step one shows the attachment of the cone to the brim bycurving it around a portion of the pre-molded brim, with the Velcro hookfacing inward. The cone is snugly matched, and the Velcro back isattached. Finally, in step three, the assembled hat is illustrated,after all Velcro parts have been firmly pushed together so that the hatpresents a seamless, or near seamless, appearance.

It will be seen that FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show three different versions orembodiments of a collapsible hat assembly in accordance with theinvention. However, it should be appreciated that these are exemplaryonly, and the number of different types of hats and styles can be madein accordance with the invention, which is thus not limited to thesethree examples.

It will be appreciated that the drawings show a few embodiments andoptions of the invention, but that many variations are possible. Somehave been described above. Others may include surface ornamentation,decorations or design art on any of the components, in whole or in part.Any form of attachment between the components would also fall within thescope of the invention. This may include press studs or snap fasteners,buttons, zippers, tape, glue and the like. Additionally, the componentsmay be configured so that, upon assembling them, they fit tightly enoughso that they will not readily come apart under normal use. In this case,the tight fit constitutes the connectors and the form of connection.

The collapsible and modular hat of the invention may also benefit frommix and match opportunities. For example, a top and brim may be usedwith differently styled, colored or shaped side pieces. A user may alsobe able to buy different types of modules individually, or a set ofmodules so that the hat can be used on different occasions based on arelevant designed module selected.

Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown shouldbe considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus andprocedures disclosed or claimed. Although many of the examples presentedherein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements,it should be understood that those acts and those elements may becombined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elementsand features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are notintended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments.

As used herein, “plurality” means two or more. As used herein, a “set”of items may include one or more of such items. As used herein, whetherin the written description or the claims, the terms “comprising”,“including”, “carrying”, “having”, “containing”, “involving”, and thelike are to be understood to be open ended, i.e., to mean including butnot limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and“consisting essentially of”, respectively, are closed or semi closedtransitional phrases with respect to claims. Use of ordinal terms suchas “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in the claims to modify a claimelement does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order ofone claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of amethod are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish oneclaim element having a certain name from another element having a samename (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claimelements. As used herein, “and/or” means that the listed items arealternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of thelisted items.

1. A collapsible modular hat comprising: a base having a base connector,a top having a top connector, and a side panel having an upper connectorand a lower connector, wherein the base connector of the base isreleasably fastened to the lower connector on the side panel, and thetop connector of the top is releasably fastened to the upper connectorof the side panel.
 2. A collapsible modular hat as claimed in claim 1wherein the base comprises a brim defining an aperture, and the baseconnector extends upwardly from around the brim near the aperture.
 3. Acollapsible modular hat as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base connectorcomprises fastening means located at multiple points.
 4. A collapsiblemodular hat as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fastening means areselected from one or more of: snap fasteners, buttons, Velcro, hook andfastener.
 5. A collapsible modular hat as claimed in claim 1 wherein thetop comprises a generally circular cover and a flange dependingdownwardly from the cover.
 6. A collapsible modular hat as claimed inclaim 5 wherein the downwardly depending flange comprises fasteningmeans at multiple points, the fastening means being selected from one ormore of: snap fasteners, buttons, Velcro, hook and fastener.
 7. Acollapsible modular hat as claimed in claim 1 wherein the side panelcomprises a generally rectangular piece having a first edge and a secondedge, the first and second edges having fastening means thereon forconfiguring and fastening the generally rectangular piece into agenerally cylindrical piece having an open upper end and an open lowerend, the base connector of the base being connected to the open lowerend, and the top connector of the top being connected to the open upperend.
 8. A collapsible modular hat as claimed in claim 7 wherein thefastening means comprises a Velcro strips at the first edge and secondedge respectively.
 9. A collapsible modular hat as claimed in claim 1wherein the base connector of the base has four substantiallyequidistant Velcro loops; the top connector of the top has foursubstantially equidistant loops; the upper connector and the lowerconnector of the side panel each have four substantially equidistantVelcro hooks for attachment to the Velcro loops on the base connectorand the top connector respectively.
 10. A collapsible modular hat asclaimed in claim 1 which has a collapsible position wherein the top andbase are nestled with respect to each other, and the side panel ispositioned adjacent thereto.
 11. A collapsible modular hat as claimed inclaim 1 further comprising an expandable bag for receiving thecollapsible modular hat when in a collapsed condition, the expandablebag including a hanging hook.
 12. A collapsible modular hat as claimedin claim 11 wherein a plurality of expandable bags containing eachcontaining the collapsible modular hat in the collapsed condition arestored within a box for storage and transportation purposes.
 13. Acollapsible modular hat as claimed in claim 1 shaped or ornamented tosuit a specific occasion.
 14. A collapsible modular hat as claimed inclaim 1 comprised of a material selected from one or more of: leather,suede, felt, plastic, fabric, hide, or cardboard.
 15. A collapsiblemodular hat as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base, top, or side panelis adjustable in size and shape.
 16. A collapsible modular hat asclaimed in claim 1 wherein any one of the base, top or side panel can bemixed and matched with other base, top or side panel respectively.
 17. Acollapsible modular hat comprising: a base having a base connector; anda top panel having a lower connector, wherein the base connector of thebase is releasably fastened to the lower connector of the top panel. 18.A method of constructing a collapsible modular hat, the methodcomprising: providing a base having a base connector, providing a tophaving a top connector, and providing a side panel having an upperconnector and a lower connector, releasably fastening the base connectorof the base to the lower connector on the side panel, and releasablyfastening the top connector of the top to the upper connector of theside panel.
 19. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the collapsiblemodular hat is assembled and disassembled, resembling a hat when in theassembled condition, and compacted for storage and transportation whenin the disassembled condition.
 20. A method as claimed in claim 18wherein one or more of the base, top and side panel of the collapsiblemodular hat is shaped and decorated to suit a preselected occasion.